In the middle of the Rocky Mountains are three celebrated national parks harbouring varied scenery and wildlife: the spires and azure lakes of Grand Teton, the towering sentinel peaks of Glacier and the vigorous geology and wildlife of Yellowstone. From colourful meadows, canyons and waterfalls to fiery volcanic pools and glaciated rocky spires, this is a trip with dramatic views and iconic wildlife. Specialist local guides will accompany us along the way.

Walk profile

Daily distance in km/miles:

Day 1

5.0km/3.1miles

Day 2

13.0km/8.1miles

Day 3

8.0km/5.0miles

Day 4

3.0km/1.9miles

Day 5

3.0km/1.9miles

Day 6

6.0km/3.7miles

Day 8

4.0km/2.5miles

Day 9

14.0km/8.7miles

Day 10

8.0km/5.0miles

Day 11

3.0km/1.9miles

Number of days walking: 10

Pace: Moderate: 5-6km/3-4miles an hour

Terrain: Low altitude; good paths with some steep ascents

Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Start Salt Lake City; to Jackson Hole; short walk.

After breakfast and a trip briefing we drive north along Route 15, leaving Salt Lake City and Utah behind. Our journey takes us alongside mountains and lakes, crossing Idaho and passing through the beautiful Targhee National Forest before we arrive into the valley of Jackson Hole in the state of Wyoming. This popular mountain resort hosts an abundance of skiiers in the winter months, whilst summer sees walkers and other thrill seekers enjoying the area and its proximity to Grand Teton National Park. Although first and foremost a ski-resort, the area of Jackson Hole certainly maintains a 'Wild West' feeling! On arrival, we'll settle into our campground and enjoy a short walk in the area.See more images and videos

2Day 2Walk amid the Grand Teton Range.

Famed for its soaring, fang like peaks, the 64km Grand Teton Range represents the archetypal jagged mountainscape. Rocky spires, forest and lakes fill the park, with more than 12 pinnacles reaching over 12,000ft. Rich in fauna, inhabitants of the area include buffalo, elk, Black and Grizzly bear, Bighorn sheep, moose and mule deer. There are many self-guided hikes available today, walking amidst dramatic scenery and appreciating the geology and nature of the area. Due to the national park regulations, our leader can't hike with the group but he/she will prepare you for today's walk, which is likely to be Amphitheater Lake, a scenic hike with excellent views of the Teton Mountains.See more images and videos

3Day 3To Yellowstone N.P.

After breakfast we pack up camp and drive to Yellowstone National Park, our home for the next four nights. Part of the highway clings to the side of the 24km long Jackson Lake, the expansive ice-blue water reflecting the Teton Range on a clear day. Entering Yellowstone, the scenery starts to change from striking jagged peaks to colourful open meadows and rolling terrain, the regular lava flows having flattened the largest geological features in the south of the park. This afternoon we'll take a walk amidst this fascinating volcanic environment before returning to set up camp.

When Yellowstone National Park was created in 1872, Northern Rocky Mountain wolves (a subspecies of the Grey wolf) were native to the area. In the years after, predator control was regularly practiced and the wolf population faced a huge decline, with packs rarely sighted towards the 1940s. In 1995, 66 young wild wolves from Alberta were re-introduced to the park. They have bred very succesfully and there are now thought to be more than 1,000 wolves in the Greater Yellowstone Area. We spend today with a specialist wolf tracking guide, venturing into the park wilderness by foot and vehicle to learn about these remarkable animals. Modern tracking is performed by using technology such as radio collars. Our guide will explain this to us, along with how wolves live and hunt together in Yellowstone and how the pack hierarchy works. It's important to note that we may not always be lucky enough to see wolves, but this is our goal and at the same time we are likely to see numerous other wildlife species.
See more images and videos

5Day 5Full day with local geology guide.

Yellowstone overflows with geothermal features; geysers, bubbling mud pools, bright multicoloured hot springs and fumaroles! The park is famous for its volcanic history and there are estimated to be 10,000 thermal features - nowhere else on earth (not even Iceland or New Zealand!) can boast its concentration of geysers which are scattered amongst several distinct geyser basins. We spend the day with a local geology guide to explore the many effects of volcanism for which the park is famous. The multicoloured springs (caused by the hot, nutrient-rich water being more suitable for different species of coloured bacteria at different temperatures) are a particular photographic highlight. Our specialist guide will explain about these volcanic hot spots and the various causes of the phenomena that we will see today, leading walks around some of the parks most interesting features (distances vary depending on the walks taken).
See more images and videos

6Day 6Wilderness daywalk in Yellowstone N.P.

Today we'll take our knowledge of Yellowstone's wildlife and geology onto a wilderness daywalk in the park. Our route will depend on the group's general ability and fitness, but will offer both scenic and natural interest. Our aim is to leave some of the well known geysers and crowds behind, exploring this true wilderness together for our last day in spectacular Yellowstone. It is likely this will involve a walk to view the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls (approx. 6km, 1.5 - 2 hours). More strenuous options are available and the leader will advise on these, depending on the wishes of the group.
See more images and videos

7Day 7Drive to Holter Lake in Montana.

Leaving Yellowstone behind we'll cross into the state of Montana and travel through mountains to the impressive Holter Lake, widely considered the most awe-inspiring of the upper Missouri Lakes. This popular recreation area has good options for walking and wildlife that we can enjoy this afternoon. The birdlife in this area is renowned, with sightings of Osprey, Heron and Eagles common. The location lends itself to leisurely walks around the shore of the lake (a popular area for fishing) and also, time permitting, in the surrounding hills. Our campsite tonight is relatively basic (no showers) but in a wonderful setting. Staying in this area allows us to break up an otherwise very long journey to Glacier.

After breaking camp, our journey through the mountains of Montana will continue as we head towards Glacier N.P. Once in the national park boundaries we'll travel to the area of West Glacier where we establish our camp for the next three nights. In the late afternoon we'll take a short walk to a sunset observation point before dinner. See more images and videos

9Day 9Full day in Glacier N.P.

After breakfast, we'll meet up with a Glacier N.P. wilderness guide and spend the day exploring the heart of the park using the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. Due to the huge amount of snow that falls on this route, the road is usually only open from June to mid-October and gives the only vehicular access to the centre of the park. We'll take walks en route and our guide will help us try to spot some of the huge variety of animal species for which this park is famed. Due to its inaccessibility, towering cliffs and broad hidden forested valleys, the park still contains nearly all of its original endemic species in healthy populations, including Grizzly bear, wolverine and lynx. Big horn sheep, mountain goats, coyote and wolves are also common, the latter of which recolonised the park naturally in the 1980's. See more images and videos

10Day 10Daywalk in Glacier N.P.

Today we will discover more of the eastern side of Glacier N.P. There are dozens of trails to choose from, such as the St Mary Valley starting at the long lake of the same name exploring creeks, waterfalls, gorges and forests amongst the huge peaks, glaciers and wildlife. Alternatively walks to Iceberg Lake and Hidden Lake are possible. Leaders are not permitted to hike with the group in Glacier, but will prepare clients for all available options and tailor these to suit interests and abilities.
See more images and videos

11Day 11To Couer d'Alene; visit Tubbs Hill.

We pack up camp this morning and leave Glacier behind to make our way towards Couer d'Alene in the state of Idaho. En route we will stop at the historic mining town of Wallace, known as the 'Silver Capital of the World'. As we reach Couer d'Alene, we'll take a short walk in the scenic area of Tubbs Hill for views of the impressive Couer d'Alene Lake as well the marina and town.

Crossing into the state of Washington we make our way towards Seattle, our final destination. Today's journey takes us past the border of Mt Rainier National Park where the imposing Mount Rainier stands; at 4,392m this is Washington's highest volcano and one of the world's most dangerous! We'll make a lunch stop at Keechelus Lake, one of a collection of three lakes that border the national park. There should be some free-time on arrival in Seattle to explore the area downtown.See more images and videos

Accommodation details

Hotels & Camping

We use 4-man tents for every two clients. The majority of camp grounds that we use are spacious, with good facilities including flush toilets and hot showers. Self-inflating sleeping mats and other communal camping equipment is provided but you'll need to bring your own sleeping bag (2/3 season) and be prepared to get involved with participatory camping!

Participatory camping involves all group members taking responsibility for several campsite duties in order to ensure a smooth-running, quick and easy camp set up. You’ll be expected to erect and dismantle your own tent and help out with taking down/setting up the camp kitchen. Additionally there is shared responsibillity for helping to prepare meals and washing up afterwards. You’ll find that these activities are fun and involving, and create a good opportunity for group bonding. Setting up camp typically takes between 15-30 minutes.

Campsites differ in terms of the facilities offered, with fixed campsites generally having flush toilets, tap water, and hot showers (often for a small fee of a few dollars - this is common in North America). If staying on wild campsites then we will be more reliant upon nature! Please note that not many campsites in North America allow advance reservations for groups, although this is normally not a problem, there is no guarantee that the group will stay at all of the planned campsites. Most campsites have a quiet time from 10pm to 7am. Please respect your fellow campers who are there to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of camping.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
British, New Zealand, Swiss and most EU passport holders do not need a visa (and enter the country under the Visa Waiver Program), provided they are in possession of an onward air ticket when entering the USA. Visas for the USA are required by some nationalities, including South African, Greek and Portuguese passport holders.
All passengers travelling to and from the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are required to hold a machine-readable passport (MRP). A MRP has the holder's personal details, e.g. name, date of birth, nationality and their passport number contained in two lines of text at the base of the photo page. This text may be read by machine. The US now charges USD14 for the visa waiver program and must be paid by credit card.
The US authorities have introduced a mandatory requirement for all passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme to register for an Electronic Travel Authority. For additional specifics about the VWP please consult the VWP information on the U.S. Embassy London website. More information and all necessary Internet links can be found at www.exodus.co.uk/Usvisa
There are no mandatory vaccinations required for this trip. Holiday style

This tour is operated in partnership with our sister company Grand American Adventures (GAA).. As such the departures are not exclusive to Exodus and groups may be a mixture of Exodus, Grand American Adventures, and other clients. This trip is booked through Exodus and you will receive the same award winning customer service that you are used to. GAA operate with the same core principles used by Exodus and champion the benefits of small group travel.

This trip is for those wanting to explore the beautiful central mountains and wilderness areas of the USA, whilst learning about the region's remarkable wildlife and geology. It is suitable for both walkers and wildlife lovers due to the varied itinerary. Whilst most of the trip will be high, it's very unlikely that we'll go above an altitude of 3000m (usually 1800-2500m). You should be reasonably active to get the most out of this trip, however, most walks are optional so you may choose to participate in only some of them if you wish. Please note that particularly for early season departures, walks may need to be shortened due to avalanche risk or snow on the trails. Walks are mostly done on well maintained trails, although some sections might be affected by water damage or be a little exposed. Expect trails to be quite rocky - a walking pole for stability is recommended.
The roads are mostly paved and in very good condition, but there are some long travelling days due to the huge distances covered. All journeys have regular stops built in to break up the distances and for any wildlife that we may spot from our vehicle, since most of the routes pass through fascinating scenery. We generally use campgrounds for more than one night at a time, allowing us a base from which to explore each area. Inevitably this means that in the morning we'll need to take a short drive to the start of our walking trail or to view wildlife or scenery. In Yellowstone, traffic is often held up by 'wildlife road jams' so you should be prepared for additional time in the minibus.

Eating & drinking

All of the meals are included whilst camping. Your Tour Leader will coordinate local shopping and assist the group in preparing healthy, hearty breakfasts, picnic lunches and delicious dinners. The food whilst camping is wholesome and North American style: breakfast usually consists of continental style fruits, breads, cereal, coffee and juice. Lunch is picnic or buffet style, with sandwiches, pita bread, sliced meat, cheeses and fruit. For snacks there are cookies, health bars and other nibbles, and dinners are soup, salad, barbecued meat, rice and pasta dishes, vegetables and dessert. Occasionally, you will eat out in local restaurants. To help you budget for these meals on average hotel breakfasts cost from US$6-12, lunches from US$8-15 and dinners from US$13-30; this does not include alcoholic beverages. Wine costs approximately US$5 per glass and beer US$4 per bottle. Please be aware that a tip of approximately 15%-20% is added to group meals in North American restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices. Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

Summer weather patterns in the Rockies are typically very sunny and dry. Daytime temperatures in the mountains range from 15-30degC depending on elevation. Afternoon thunderstorms are common and don't usually last long, although can be severe at altitude. Nights can be cool, depending on elevation. However, a storm system might bring cold and rain (even snow at altitude) at any time. Be prepared to adapt to a wide range of temperatures through layered clothing. July and August are the height of the wildflower bloom. Tours scheduled for June and early July might encounter some snow on the higher trails in all three of the national parks that we visit.

Gallery

Reviews & community

Not quite as described, but a great trip all the same. For example, on the first day in the Tetons, we had a cable car ride to a summit where most of the group milled around until the decent. Likewise, the Amphitheatre Lake walk did not happen-we went to Jenny Lake instead. Be prepared to read the trip notes as not entirely accurate, and be flexible.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The landscapes are stunning. The wildlife is amazing. The wildflowers are unforgettable. The weather was great. Altogether a good collection of "WOW" moments. Seeing wolves in the wild was a bonus-even if it was through the tracker's telescope.

What did you think of your group leader?

Jay &amp; Jeremy are 2 very laid back guys and good fun-however it was not until the middle of the 1st week that they collected the travel insurance details from the group-not sure what would happened if there was a serious accident before then. This sort of thing needs to be tight from the beginning.
They kept us entertained on the long drives and Jay, who works in Yellowstone in the winter months, was a wealth of knowledge.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Be prepared to be flexible and immerse yourself in the surroundings.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I think Exodus need to speak with their American partners about the tipping culture. The trip notes state $3-5 dollars per day for the leader. At the pre-trek briefing, we were given a handout that stated $5-7 per day, (along with the changes to the itinerary from the trip notes) but the leaders told us their tip should be up to $10 per day. As our trip had 2 leaders, that could be an expensive overhead if you are not prepared to stick to original guidance. The vegetarian meals were not of the standard we norally receive on camping trips-the 3 courses as described never happened. One evening it was a bowl of soup followed by a plate of salad. Not especially filling!

Exodus Response

We have reminded all of our leaders to take insurance details at the beginning of the trip, that tipping is discretionary and that all optional excursions must be clearly explained to every group; we are confident this will ensure that no one misses out on any of the exceptional walking available. We are very glad that Steve had a great trip overall - Trip Manager, Yellowstone Wildlife Walks

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

What did you think of your group leader?

Brendan and Evan were great leaders. They coped brilliantly when one of our group had an incident. They also coped very well with our request for vegan food.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Be prepared for some cold nights in Yellowstone and don't get phased by the herd of bison wandering through the campsite.

There are a number of long journeys in the minibus, which can feel a bit cramped.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Mike the wolf guide in Yellowstone was inspiring, but the when he told us about the adverse affect the wolf hunts in neighbouring Montana were having on the packs in the park it was a real shock and a necessary reality check.

Tourism is essential for the survival of the wolves in Yellowstone, so that alone should be enough reason to go.

Has the potential to be one of the best trips in the brochure. The only reason I didn't give it 5* was the minibus.Fantastic wildlife watching and great scenery. Yellowstone exceeded my (high) expectations and Glacier and Grand teton were not far behind.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Seeing seven wolves, a grizzly bear, two moose, and a bison, and doing all this before lunch!

The quantity and variety of the wildlife was impressive, as was its general lack of concern about the presence of humans. Great photo opportunities all the way round.

What did you think of your group leader?

Hyme and Ali worked well together and complemented each others skills and leadership styles. They both had excellent knowledge, good organisational skills, good cooking skills, and an eclectic mix of music on their ipods to keep us amused during the long drives!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The minibus is very cramped and has very poor visibility for the majority of the passengers. Unless you are in one of the five passable seats don't expect to get a good view of the scenery or wildlife whilst driving. I'm glad we were not a full group. This is the only significant downside to an otherwise excellent trip.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If you like wildlife watching, stunning scenery, a bit of walking (with options to suit all abilities), and wilderness then this is a must do trip.

Long drives at start and end, but you do get to see a bit of small town america that is off the beaten track. The extended stays in each of the parks make up for the time spent travelling.

Starting a travel career in his mid 20’s was the best decision Ian's ever made. Reaching Everest Base Camp, walking through the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu, watching Grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park and needing another holiday after a week at the Rio Carnival (!) are just some of his highlights. He has been on the Exodus Sales Team for over 8 years now, and is a cycling convert - who wants to be sat on a bus, when you can explore fantastic destinations on two wheels, or on foot?!

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

What are the American campsites like?

We will camp both at privately run, organised sites with toilet, washing and shower facilities, and at some relatively primitive sites (e.g. within the national park boundaries) with only basic toilets and tap water. Whilecamping, expect to have access to a hot shower every other day. Hot showers are included at some camping sites, other nights; the showers are charged for and cost between $1.50-3.00. Compared to Europe, campgrounds here tend to be slightly more basic with fewer amenities. National park campgrounds tend to be much more basic than the commercial sites in Europe. However this is done on purpose, as development is frowned upon as the national parks are supposed to protect the area for future use and not destroy the natural habitat by development.

Dan Cockburn - Product Manager

What are the chances of seeing Wolves?

There is an entire day devoted to Yellowstone Wildlife, with the focus being the Lamar Valley in the north-eastern part of the park. Of course there's never a guarantee of seeing wolves, but the day is structured to maximize the possibility. Some things to remember, wolves are weary of humans, so the only real way to observe them in the wild is at a great distance through spotting scopes which are provided to the group.

Yellowstone is one of the only essentially intact ecosystems left in the Northern world and it also sits on top of one of the world's largest volcanoes so wolves are only a small piece of what makes this region so spectacular and worthy of visiting.

I'm travelling via the US, do I need a visa?

Most clients are eligible to travel via the US under the US Visa Waiver Programme, however to do this you must register for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). This must be done prior to departure - more details can be found at www.exodus.co.uk/usvisa.

Rebecca Caldicott - Customer Operations

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

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